Zero-tolerance bans on weapons in school lack common sense

Editorial

THE ISSUE: School officials debating zero-tolerance rules on weapons.

January 23, 2011

With kids bringing guns to school and using them to mow down their classmates with stunning frequency over the past decade, the issue of weapons on campus is a loaded one these days, and school officials have had to walk a minefield of considerations over how to adequately protect students.

In this trigger-happy climate, the zero-tolerance ban on weapons in school was born, and it's been shown over and over again to be a dud — across the country and here in South Florida.

While well-meaning, and designed to deliver a powerful message of deterrence, zero-tolerance rules in practice instead have seen countless children tossed out of school and deprived of their education for no more than packing a butter knife or toy gun in their knapsack.

Broward County Schools is the latest to rethink its zero-tolerance policy after gaining unwelcome national attention for expelling a 7-year-old over a Nerf gun. Samuel Burgos, who had no other disciplinary problems and who clearly just forgot the toy was in his backpack, got kicked out of school for a year and had to be home-schooled until his parents reached a deal with the district for him to return to class.

Last week, a fourth-grader packing a dud grenade he bought with his father at an Army Navy Surplus store only amplified the debate further. That student was suspended for a few days, but only because the school determined the grenade couldn't explode. That's better than full expulsion, but it's still heavy-handed considering the lack of intent to do harm.

Kids don't need to be thrown out of school over toys and souvenirs. That's not why zero-tolerance policies were created. More sensible rules, like those in Palm Beach County schools, put discretion where it belongs — in school officials' hands to determine whether the weapons, real or not, are intended to intimidate, threaten or hurt someone, and issue punishments accordingly.

Broward schools would do well adopt a similar common-sense plan. And while they're at it, parents need to show a little common sense, too. Tell your kids that even toy guns are not appropriate for show-and-tell, and make sure the stuff in their backpacks won't needlessly set off panic. And if you want to buy your kid a grenade, even a dud, do everyone a favor and make sure it stays on a shelf at home.